Amex GBT issues manifesto on scaling SAF

American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has produced a manifesto urging the next UK government to support the scaling of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Among the demands is that ‘book and claim’ programmes should be recognised for SAF, allowing “long-term investment from corporate aviation consumers”. Book and claim allows customers to invest in sustainable fuel and make sustainability claims without the need to demonstrate exact usage and supply chains.

Amex GBT president Andrew Crawley said: “Businesses can help kickstart this emerging market by procuring SAF through book and claim programmes and investing in new technologies. However, effective government policy is vital to unlocking private sector action.”

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The manifesto was issued on the same day (March 14) that Amex GBT and BritishAmerican Business held a roundtable discussion on the scaling of SAF. The event, organised in partnership with the Department for Transport, was chaired by aviation minister Anthony Browne.

In calling for book and claim to be recognised for SAF, the manifesto states: “Clear and consistent accounting and reporting standards are vital to unlocking significant, long-term investment from corporate aviation consumers for the environmental attributes of SAF.”

The manifesto also calls on the government to enable and encourage SAF production and use, while supporting research and development aimed at producing different types of SAF.

“A mix of policy interventions can be targeted at different participants across the value chain, but it is essential that governments provide the right stimulus at the right time,” the manifesto states.

Amex GBT also wants the government to consider the aviation sector as a priority in terms of renewable fuel production because it is among the sectors that is “hard to electrify”.

The manifesto states: “Although SAF production is expected to triple in 2024, it will only grow to 6% of all renewable fuels produced according to Iata.

“To reach aviation’s 2050 net-zero target, 25% to 30% of annual renewable fuel production capacity needs to be for SAF by 2030.”

Crawley said continuing talks between industry stakeholders and the government would be “key” to hitting the 2050 net-zero target.

He added: “The corporate travel sector has a crucial role to play in scaling the UK’s SAF industry.”

Browne said: “As the world continues to combat climate change, aviation will play a vital part in reaching net zero and the development of SAF is leading the flightpath towards a cleaner way to travel.

“With support from the government’s £135m Advanced Fuels Fund and upcoming SAF mandate, the UK continues to be a global leader in SAF, but collaboration with the private sector is key to unlocking investment and building a UK SAF industry.”

BritishAmerican Business chief executive Duncan Edwards said: “It is crucial for us to realise the pressing need to scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as part of our collective efforts to meet ambitious net-zero goals.

“The aviation sector plays a significant role in global emissions and recognises its responsibility to drive meaningful change.

“Working together across government and business, the UK and the US have an opportunity to play a leading role in implementing policies that incentivise investment in SAF production, distribution and widespread adoption.”

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